Could it Really Be This Simple?

by HEIDI WEISS EMMETT

Are you like me and wear your scarves pretty much the same way?

This is a funny picture in that I have on, not one, but TWO cashmere sweaters. And then I pair them with a floral, spring scarf. It may be Spring on the calendar, but that particular morning (2 weeks ago maybe) the high for the day was 42 degrees with a chance of snow. I couldn’t bear the thought of wearing yet another neck torturing turtleneck. So I grabbed this scarf. I put it on in my usual fashion, divide length in half and put the halfway mark at my neck front and put the ends to my back. Crisscross the lengths and bring back to the front. Yes, it’s a good look but I was sooo… tired of that look.

This fabric is so pretty and soft and light and airy. It is all thanks to my friend Patty P. who bought this fabric in Paris a year ago. It is so well printed that it is hard to tell the front from the back. She cut a length of the fabric 63″ x 21″ and used the tiniest of serging on all four edges and then She gave to ME! Thank you Patty! I love it of course.

Back to the first way I wrapped this scarf. Instead of it being done as you see it above, wrap each long piece across the front of the neck and tuck the edge under it all at the back.

Taa Daa! Who knew it could be sew simple! Simple to sew, simple to create this look, and to wear! For me, it is so new and fresh. Now, YOU try it! This look is good for all neck types (long, thin, thick, short), as long as the scarf fabric is really light weight to begin with.

I saw a poppy in that fabric and here is one outside. I spied it in town when walking the other day. What a yummy, yummy color! And notice a bud in the lower left corner, soon to pop out.

Eschscholzia californica is the botanical name for California poppy. It is our state flower and native to California. Sometimes we get a double show of these beauties each year, once in the spring and again in the fall. I love the lacey type leaves (lower left corner of this picture). The long green spikey leaves on the right side of the picture are Iris leaves.

Have a Happy Spring weekend everyone! Thanks for stopping by. It’s Sparky Top weather!

Remember this Sparky Top? The center back is made from a Maxi dress made of silk chiffon. Oh my gosh, where did I put the scraps? I can even piece smaller scraps together and make a long scarf and tie it just like the scarf Patty gave me. I’ll work on that and show you ASAP.

I finished this design in the middle of winter (hence the snow). See it and all my other “Art to Wear” sewing patterns at my Etsy Shop. Whoops, if you click on the “red letters” that say Etsy shop, it takes you to my Newsletter/Blog front page.Sew while you are there, Look at the “Categories” Box and click on Sparky Top. Past posts will pop up, a whole bunch of them. Enjoy reading and learning more about Sparky Top. Some times the Etsy link will not work no matter what I do. So just go to Etsy.com/DesignsbyHeidiEmmett on your own to see all my Art to wear sewing patterns.

Thanks so much. Blessings and Hugs to you all, Heidi

Cool Tools! and “Wearing My Joy.”

by HEIDI WEISS EMMETT

I haven’t purchased any “cool tools” for my sewing studio in a long time. Let me show you what I have found. By the way, these all arrived a few days ago. I haven’t had a chance to try any of them yet.

I’m ALWAYS looking for a great thimble. When I was 8, I smashed my thimble finger in the door of the car (don’t ask me how I managed to close the door before removing my hand, but I did). I have a permanent bump right where a thimble should fit nicely. So…I bought these. Beth sold these as well as all the other cool tools I’m showing you on an every Wednesday (4-6p.m.)show and sale! Fabric Chicks Creative Oasis I learn new things and see and buy new things every week. And it’s a fun few hours with a sometimes zany group of newfound friends. You don’t actually see anyone. But you can comment and purchase at the same time on the side of your monitor. It is a running commentary.

People who were commenting at that sale said they LOVE using these poke-a-dots. I wanted you to see how nice and thick they are AND they are reusable too. There will be a little learning curve as I’m totally not used to this type of thimble or where exactly to place it on my finger tip.

Next up the Quick Turn. There are gobs of ways to turn a tube (I think I’ve tried all the others), so why not try one more.

This kit (and others in the collection) are so CUTE made up, that I had to get one to try. The square is approximately 6″ x 6″ in size so it is perfect to stash into your purse for when you have a bit of free time to stitch. Wendy Williams is from Australia. The wool pieces included are top notch. It will be fun to make up. And yes, it came in my latest Fabric Chicks box.

Yes, I’m working here doing some embroidery but what am I using?

This item is called a lap app. It is resting on my lap and both of my hands are resting on the top surface while I stitch.

I purchased this from: “The Lap App Store.” Go to www.lapappstore.net to read more about it. You can see that it is adjustable (black knobs) and PERFECT for resting both hands at once while you work. My hands never get tired or sore when I use this product. I have been using mine since January but forgot to tell you about it. I know so many ladies who have these and all of us would not be without our Lap Apps when hand stitching anything. Fabric Chicks doesn’t carry these, yet.

What is this? Read on….

I can’t wait to try this one (this weekend as I plan to do some thread painting). It will hold two CONES of thread. Cones being the operative word here. Cones are way too big to fit on a home sewing machine. My other thread stand only holds one cone. One person commented on the Fabric Chicks site that she loves machine quilting with 2 threads together, threaded into one needle (different colors of course) to get a variegated look to her work. I’ve got to try this.

Riley is wearing his “I’m Sooooo…BORED” face. It has been raining, snowing, and hailing, off and on for days on end. We take Riley out in the inclement weather but he reaches the “I’m DONE” point fairly quickly. Haha. It’s time for the “stair run.” I throw treats off the balcony upstairs while Riley runs up and down, up and down and searches for his treat. He gets a great workout that way.

I received this variegated hand sewing Perle Cotton in my box (from Fabric Chicks) and HAD TO TRY IT OUT RIGHT AWAY! Some slow stitching was in order. These two are from the Alison Glass collection that are made by Wonderfil (via Fabric Chicks cause I get free shipping with Online orders over $85.)

Yep, there are stains on this piece. I tried and tried to get them out. Enter, Wonderfil perle cotton to cover them up. Keep looking…..

This shows the two colorways I have. (sigh…there are 22 MORE variegated colors to choose from in cute sets of 12 each). I’m stitching with the one at the top of the picture. I wanted you to see that they each have a shorter length of color changes and they are more dramatic than some threads. And so smooth and easy to work with. I’m sold!

You saw the stains in the pictures above. Can you see them Now?! And please note that I did a close up this time for this picture too. O.K., it faintly, very faintly shows in this close up. I think stitching 5 or more rows over the stain in the OPPOSITE direction would really hide the stains.

Quick, a time out. I’m going to make a Mia vest out of the fabric above (the giant buffalo plaid)that I’m stitching on. Go to my Etsy shop to see all my Art to Wear” patterns that are available to purchase in pdf/digital or hard copy.

O.K., my mannequin is “Wearing my Joy” today. I showed this skirt last Saturday in my “Spirals and Uptown, Upcycled purse” zoom class. I will show more great samples from that class in the following weeks. I did not create this skirt. I saw it two weeks before my class. I added up the time to cut out and attach these Free Form Circles with Spiral stitching (they are on the back as well) and said, “No, I’ll buy this one.” I’m so glad I did.

I think this skirt is so fun and it is truly one of a kind! A BIG thankyou to Beth for having me teach to such a great group of ladies from so many places, even as far away as Australia! Thank you Miss Moira (you’re the BEST for getting up at 4:00a.m. to take part)! I hope to teach it again in the coming months and I have already started on a quilted wall hanging pattern that will be incorporated in the class. I hope to see some of you, my loyal followers to this newsletter in the class too. It will be a SPIRALICIOUS GOOD TIME!

Oh my goodness. For ONCE the link actually took me to my own Etsy shop. Remember, I could not get the link to work for months. So I have to do this one more time. Please visit my Etsy shop to see all the patterns I sell. I can answer any questions you might have BEFORE you purchase (especially International orders) by going to my email: hmemmett@gmail.com

Hugs and Blessings to you all for stopping by today! Heidi

Denim Daze!

by HEIDI WEISS EMMETT

I am so honored that you have stopped by! I know there are a bazillion blogs out there and you chose to come to mine today. Thank you! Let’s get going.

You know I love to incorporate denim in my upcycling projects. An easy way to find project possibilities is on Pinterest. So be sure to follow me on Pinterest, DesignsbyHeidiEmmett and check out my board called “Denim upcycles” Be prepared to be overwhelmed. Haha. I created my version of denim upcycling, using my Mia Vest pattern. I will show those pictures 3-6th pictures. The rest of the pictures, are right from Pinterest, and I see each one as a possible project/part of a project/snippet of a project/or just enjoying the creativity of the piece.

The more bias the cut out pieces are = less fraying when washed. This is a GREAT example of that. Use lighter weight denims in a project like this (so many layers).

This is a great way to start if you have nothing planned but know you want to work with denim (or any other combo of fabrics) I do this myself just to have a little project to carry in my purse, or close by the T.V. ( just in case I have a moment to work on it).

Mia Vest, by Heidi Emmett. See this pattern at my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett

Here is the back of my Mia Vest. I talk about it in more detail in a past post on my site: DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com Go to the home page and look for the “Categories” box. Click on Mia Vest and past posts will pop up. Learn more about this versatile sewing pattern.

Front cover of Mia Vest pattern. $15.00 US + shipping for a “hard copy” which includes tissue pattern pieces. $9.95 US for a digital pattern. International orders, contact me first at hmemmett@gmail.com for cheaper shipping options.

Etsy.com/DesignsbyHeidiEmmett to see all my “Art to Wear” sewing patterns.

What a terrific idea. The underneath circles could even be stenciled on a plain piece of fabric. Maybe these were stenciled on?

Ohhhh, the possibilities here.

Wow, I want to see what garment/tote bag/ or whatever this is. Very nice work. I haven’t seen a complete picture at this time.

So simple and sweet. One on each knee of a kiddos pair of jeans. Wait a minute, I WANT one or two myself. I am a kid at heart!

O.K. these running stitches are too perfect. “ai” perhaps? Kidding, just kidding. But, there is no way I could EVER create such neat and perfect stitches on my own. Haha.

what fun! And I’m sure you realize the flower centers are cut up jean zippers. Very creative use for all parts of a pair of jeans.

Well, well, the beauty of slow stitching, make it what you want. Check out the pincushion too.

Ohhhhhh…..YOWZAA! I aspire to this level of stitching someday! I like how the even stitching in the center rectangle ever so slightly pulls up the fabric.

I pulled this from my Blog/Newsletter archives. I took this picture 5+ years ago! I think it is a fabulous piece of art! The Anthropologie store in Roseville, CA has AMAZING displays and clothes and such as well. I have not been in awhile. A field trip is in order.

A Bunny and a Skunk out of denim scraps?!?! It can be done people!

I found a quote by Zig Ziglar.

“F-E-A-R has 2 meanings: Forget Everything, And Run.” or “Face Everything And Rise.”

Thank you again for stopping by. I can’t wait to hear about a denim upcycling project you have made or are creating. Hugs and Blessings, Heidi

A Special “Upcycled” Pocket Pillow.

by Heidi Emmett

I had to add in a couple of fall pictures first, because I can. Thank you, for stopping by to see what I’m up to this week.

You know me and my leaf closeups. I went out to the backyard and zeroed in on the brightest colored leaf I could see in that teeny tiny screen.

Cozy kitty (Rubix), pretty pumpkin, prettier leaves on the back deck. I have a story about the pumpkin outside our front door. It was larger than the one in this picture. On October 20th, my husband came in from walking our Riley dog and asked, “Why did you move the pumpkin?” I didn’t move it. We looked all around the area and finally found it under a bush. And you’ll never guess, but the top had been chewed off EXACTLY the way you would start your pumpkin carving ritual each year. And on closer inspection, it was perfectly hollowed out too, I mean, PERFECTLY! Every bit of the pulp had been removed except a few seeds clinging to the very bottom, inside. I found the top too, but it looked super gross, all chewed up and spit out a few feet away under another bush. We decided it had to be a deer? Still kind of a mystery. In 37 years of living in our home here on this property we have never ever had something like this happen. Onward to the special pocket pillow project.

Here’s the back story: A friend, Heather, approached me about making a pillow for her friend, whose husband, a rancher, had passed away. Heather wanted his shirt pockets to be put onto a pillow for his wife as a remembrance of her husband. Heather gave me these 5 shirts and a pillow form. I was up for the challenge.

Taa daa! Here is the finished pillow. And what a beautiful bench the pillow is sitting on. My husband created this bench for ME a decade ago. He used a “pattern” and bought all the supplies, and (ha,ha, I truly wrote, stitched and ironed).It is supposed to be “sawed and hammered.” I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, it. He just finished repainting it so it looks brand new. Good for another decade at least. Thank you honey. And did I say it is comfortable too, with or without a pillow.

Here’s the back of the pillow. I chose a more “feminine” leaf jacquard (leaf pattern is WOVEN into the fabric) denim for the background and I used the front snaps(from the shirt front) for the opening to get the pillow form in and out instead of a zipper.

When it comes to upcycling, I try to always get the most out of any piece I cut up. I look at it closely and decide how best to use important pieces. In this case, I cut up the side seams, around the sleeve, and across I left extra fabric around each pocket, as I wasn’t sure how I would finish them. I cut extra when I cut the front snaps off. Again, keep it all in one piece.

Here, I’m moving the pockets around on the original pillow front, just to get an idea of how many to use.

I knew I wanted to use the back of one of the shirts for the pillow front. Keeping to my idea of cutting the largest pieces I could, I had just enough for the background of the pillow front. This shirt was too light weight to stand alone so I added a piece of muslin behind it (it’s peeking out the bottom.

I had a hard time deciding whether to tuck the outside edges of the pockets all the way under, or leave the some of the background fabric exposed. I really like the snaps from the shirt pocket becoming the pillow opening area. I only had to sew it twice, haha,as I had trouble figuring out how to sew it in so that when the snaps were pulled apart I could see the feather pillow form. First time it didn’t work I laughed and laughed. Second time, NOT so funny. I persevered. Back to those pockets….

I decided to leave some of the backround fabric showing. It made it easier to stitch the pocket on (no bulk) and I liked the way it looked too.

I am really happy how this “remembrance” pocket pillow turned out.

Please check out my piping detail (outside edge). I haven’t done piping in at least 2 years. It’s kind of like riding a bike, really. All the little details on how to proceed came back as I stitched it in place. If you want to try “sewing with piping”, just type it into YouTube.

Looking off my back deck at 9:30a.m. today. Rain coming in on Sunday. If it’s raining/snowing your way, it would be a good time to visit my Etsy shop. Go Etsy.com, and in the search bar, type in, “DesignsbyHeidiEmmett” My shop will pop up and you can peruse the “Art to Wear” patterns I sell. Questions? Email me at: hmemmett@gmail.com Hugs and Blessings, Heidi

Fall is in The Air! Let’s Make a Zephyr Jacket! or Two or Three!

by Heidi Emmett

I am always so happy when fellow sewing enthusiasts send me pictures of what they have created using one of my “Art to Wear” sewing patterns.

I’m showcasing my Zephyr Jacket this week. And if you need even more info. about it, go to the home page of my Newsletter/Blog DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com Look for the “Categories” box. Click on Zephyr Jacket and past posts will pop up. Learn new tips and tricks for your own Zephyr Jacket. Let’s see how my Zephyr Jacket pattern was interpreted this week.

These pictures JUST CAME IN from Casey T. of Texas. Her note to me went like this: ” It turned out beautifully!! Can’t wait to make some more quilts to do one for my mom!! Thank you Heidi!” Casey made this Zephyr from a quilt she had already created.

I really like how Casey use an all over quilt for her first Zephyr Jacket. It gives a really cohesive look to this “HOT, HOT” look right now. GREAT JOB CASEY!!

Here is my Zephyr Jacket using a Kantha Cloth (queen sized piece) for it. I too, kept it all in one fabric. Kantha Cloth is 2 layers of fabric held together by long running stitches. In this case, a black printed fabric on top with a solid black on the back. The running stitches alternate with a few rows of black, then white stitching.

I love the longer back for extra warmth as well as “hiding” hips. Zephyr Jacket, see it at my Etsy shop: Etsy.com/DesignsbyHeidiEmmett

Here is Zephyr Jacket using a lightweight cotton (Kaffe Fassett) for the body and silk (cut from a pair of pants) for the front pieces.

The black Kantha was so much fun to make (and FAST! too) that I made it again with another Kantha piece. It has patch pockets on the front AND I made it longer so it is more like a coat now.

The print side of this Kantha has actually been pieced. Great with jeans don’t you think?

A little detailing at the shoulder seams and a great close up showing the “slow stitching” of the Kantha piece.

One more jacket. I cut up an old quilt that had some large stains. I was only able to cut the main front pieces and the whole back piece from the quilt but found a larger scrap of a solid front and back Kantha piece (the 2 shades of blue)for the Zephyr Front pieces.

I think its a fun look and the “off set” cutting up of the quilt gives a modern look to the whole jacket.

I really appreciate each of you visiting my Newsletter/Blog once a week. Writing these posts and keeping tabs on all your creative work using my “Art to Wear” patterns, makes my sewing and creative adventures that much more fun too and I feel inspired to KEEP ON CREATING! Hugs and Blessings to you all! Heidi

I Saw it! The First Leaf of Fall! And Fall Calls Out For DENIM!

by Heidi Weiss Emmett

And there it was! I was minding my own business, carrying out laundry to be hung on my clothesline. In a swath of gray and white gravel pieces, I spied a little leaf.

I didn’t touch it, just ran for my camera. September 9th, 2:00p.m. and a really warm day, but cool evenings and mornings. This leaf on the ground caused me to look up and REALLY look at the maple trees in our yard. Wow! How did I miss the branches here and there, with colorful leaves running up the branches?

Fast forward one week and more are falling all the time. Yes, yes, I arranged these. But they were all in the same vicinity. The colors are so vibrant! Complimentary colors of the red and green really stand out. Nature has so much fun using color and so should we!

All these hydrangea blooms came from the SAME bush! I’ve never seen this before. You would think they would all change color at the same time. And just a few days before I took this shot, the blueish/white blossom was pure white.

I couldn’t resist these shots.

There are such color changes from bush to bush.

As well as amount of blossoms.

And now for some denim ideas for you to try. The necklace above is so cool! They even used the threads that you pull off where there might be a hole. Look right below the coral colored leather cord and between each of the beads of wrapped denim.

Ohhh this piece, CHECK IT OUT! Some slow stitching on each bead. So unusual.

Bracelets from belt loops. N-i-c-e!

I’m ready to wear my newest “Mia Vest” again. It was so fun to make AND it has plenty of pockets! I love pockets, I need pockets!

And the back. I used bits and pieces of some of my favorite fabrics/old shirts/and the like.

Mia Vest- It is everything I write about in the above description. And working with denim is a fun way to add your own touches of creativity to. Denim is the “blank canvas.” Let’s CREATE.

Mia Vest USED TO BE CALLED the above l-o-n-g name. Just the name has changed. Everything including the little vest is still included. This vest is such fun to make and wear in a variety of fabrics and colorways. Check it out at my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett I can ship a hard copy (tissue pattern pieces, instructions, etc.) for $16.00 or you can purchase it as pdf/digital files for $10.00 Tissue pattern pieces only,can be purchased for $5. (all sizes included) and free shipping.

Thank you for stopping by today. I really appreciate you following my Blog/newsletter. And don’t forget to tell your friends. The address is Designsbyheidi.wordpress.com I think they will enjoy reading it too. Get out there this weekend and find some denim pieces to cut up (maybe in your own closet!) and get your creative juices flowing. Hugs, Heidi

A THIS and THAT Friday! Enjoy!

by HEIDI WEISS EMMETT

Welcome everyone to a summer, Friday newsletter! Am I the only one who has trouble concentrating when it is so HOT! So, I’m drinking lots of water and practicing my slow, deep, breathing, and ahhh….. let’s all relax for a few minutes.

Summer from one of my living room windows. The neighbors “forest” is in the background. Rubix is sitting on the window ledge taking in the view.Check out the GORGEOUS, REAL, CLAM SHELL (also don’t miss the geen glass “float” in the clam shell) filled with beautiful shells, etc. These are all from my Mother-in-law.

The “vignette” on the piano top started with the little quilt. This quilt is made of “nine patches.” In quilt speak it is a square made up of 9 squares of colorful fabric and surrounded by a creamy solid color (muslin for this one). The colorful fabrics in this case are either plaids or stripes. This little quilt is from my mother. She made it in 1989. It is all done by machine, except for the hand quilting.

The type of plaid fabrics in this little quilt are called Madras plaids. Madras fabrics are always plaids and sometimes stripes. They are woven in India primarily. The shirt above is made out of Madras. As soon as the collar area wears out, this shirt goes into the “plaid” bin. Sorry honey, I know you really like this shirt too. I love Madras and other beautiful plaid cottons. The madras seem to be harder to find of late. Not sure why.

These plaids remind me of sea glass. Check out what I mean by going here. The sea glass pieces I have are from Fort Bragg, sea glass beach. The beautiful abalone piece is from my mother.

Very simple HAND quilting on this piece and perfectly done, I might add.

I added a bowl of sea shells , all from my mother.

Shells mixed in with glass pieces from Glass Beach! I love my little display.

Close up of the center panel. 3 x 3 squares, all 9 patches.

This small quilt, is approx. 27″ x 27″ Each square is 3″ finished.

Crazy, but 2 days after taking the pictures above, I was going through a box of Mom’s quilting “stuff” and look what I found. I really remember now. She made it in 1989 as a “sample” for my Fabric Store that I owned and operated in Grass Valley for 16 years. It was called Heidi’s Fashion Fabrics. I found one of these patterns on Ebay if you’re interested. Type in Country Threads.

You know I work at Sammies, Thrift shop on Mondays. At the table next to me is Liz (she works on the Linens and children’s clothes). She hails from England. I, of course, love, her accent. And she regales me with fabulous stories about her life in England as a young girl. This past Monday, in the breakroom, were oodles of fresh picked cucumbers! Liz taught me that a “Proper” Cucumber sandwich is butter spread on both pieces of white bread (keeps the juices of the cucumbers from making the bread soggy). Yes, cut off the crusts. Layer some thinly sliced cucumbers that have been salted/pepper if you like, and put the top on and taa daa! Even with sourdough bread (with crusts still on), it was a very refreshing little sandwich.

On Thursday, I was with a group of ladies (a monthly quilting group) and one of them brought the “American” version of a cucumber sandwich. White bread (crusts off), spread with cream cheese mixed with dill weed. VERY yummy too. Which kind will you like best? Let me know.

Oh yes, I picked up a lovely “Bag O’Buttons on my “work day” at Sammies this past week. These are some BIG buttons (I put my finger in the shot so you could tell).

I had to show a picture of this vignette one more time. The kitty holding a grass container, sitting under a gorgeous maple tree.

I was so excited. It had sad leaves before and now that it is in really filtered sun, pretty green with lovely pointy ends. WHAAATT?! They WERE lovely and pointy until the deer found them. Grrr….

I didn’t cut this dress shorter until the end of last summer. Finally, this summer I have been able to wear it a bunch. This fabric is so unique. Let’s look closer. I whacked it off, slit the sides, and added the cut off portion as pockets.

It’s a gorgeously printed 100% textured cotton.

Don’t forget to check out my “Art to Wear” sewing patterns at my Etsy shop. It is called DesignsbyHeidiEmmett go here.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Please tell your friends about my Newsletter, DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com I love bringing others on board for this “creating and sewing, ever changing and growing group.” WE HAVE FUN! Blessings and hugs, Heidi

The Dog Days of Summer Require a Sparky Top!

by HEIDI WEISS EMMETT

YES! It has been quite warm this July. So warm, it has affected my brain/memory. I have worn Sparky Tops nearly every day these past few weeks and I thought, for my post today I will show some Sparky Tops with me wearing them. I COMPLETELY FORGOT that I showed some LAST week too! Oh well, I’m wearing these instead of them being on the mannequin. Enjoy.

I sell Sparky Top at my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett Stateside or International (especially International) orders contact me personally at: hmemmett@gmail.com to buy directly from me (Etsy does charge too much in shipping).

Everytime I wear my Sparky Tops, I always get lovely compliments wherever I go. Rex followed me this morning to the stone bench. I know, the post talks about “Dogs” and I show the cat!

The thing I hear the most, “It looks so light and floaty especially from the back!” This particular Sparky Top I did make longer all the way around because of the beautiful “hand painted” looking, silk chiffon. To read more about Sparky Top or ANY of my other sewing patterns, go to the home page of this BLOG: DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com and look for the “Categories” box. Scroll through and click on “Sparky Top.” Past posts, all pertaining to Sparky Top will pop up. Learn new Tips and Ideas.

This Sparky Top is the regular length but I wore a longer tank top underneath for a peek-a-boo look.

I also used the same fabric, a re-embroidered fabric for the front and center back pieces. And the same Kaffe Fassett quilting cotton for the upper back and side panels. So, only two different fabrics in this Sparky Top.

Heidi’s Etsy shop: Etsy/DesignsbyHeidiEmmett to purchase your own Sparky Top sewing pattern. Or contact me personally: hmemmett@gmail.com A great sewing project for beginners and advanced alike.

Speaking of the Sparky Top, here is a fun painting of the patterns’ namesake, Mr. Sparky Dog. Miss you sweet Sparky. I did this painting 13 years ago.

Remember, I told you that I was going to a “Paint & Sip With your Dog” class?

Well, I did it (using the picture above of our Riley)and want to show you a few pictures from the event. It was soooo, FUN! The adult humans did the painting and sipping (dogs slurped from the big water troughs on the property).

Riley came and posed for me just as I was getting going. Such a good boy!

A giant gazebo where the humans met to paint and sip. Dogs could come into the gazebo too.

Our teacher and the owner of “Pawsitive Pals” (with the green “cooling” scarf), Lauren. 19 students and 17 dogs! ALL the dogs we pretty BIG except the cutie pie on the lap of her dog mom and the little poodle mix right there on the floor. The chihuahua, could hold its’ own ABSOLUTELY!

Doesn’t this really look like the Chihuahua. Her FIRST try with watercolors.

Love the color blocking in this one.

So noble and proud does this guy look. She added the white to the other eye when I had moved on. Every Pet portrait teacher will tell you, “It’s ALL about the eyes!” I think they are right.

I really like the colors in this watercolor and the “pointillism.” Three hours of great fun. The dogs got along great and made new friends as did the adults. Such a fun way for the dogs to socialize too. Riley was soooo tired that he could barely hop up into the car afterwards, came home, ate his dinner and then and flopped on the floor on his bed, exhausted but, oh, so happy. A great time was had by all!

Until next week, stay cool, and sew up your own floaty top! Hugs and Blessings, Heidi

Ohhh… THE HEAT!

by HEIDI WEISS EMMETT

This weekend could break a few records for heat. Hopefully not here in Grass Valley, CA. Triple digits maybe on Saturday. Sooooo…. with the heat in mind I’m wearing some light and floaty clothes.

Did you notice? I launched my Sparky Top pattern during a January, and yes, I had to have an outdoor cover shot. It makes me feel cooler just looking at the snow in the background. Still haven’t changed it and I’m O.K. with that. See this pattern and ALL my “Art to Wear” patterns in my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett.

The fabric used on the front and side panels are the same. This printed fabric came off the bolt. Sorry, I have no idea who made this fabric or the manufacturer. I have had it a few years+

The center back panel was my focal fabric and everything else keyed off of it. This fabric did NOT come off the bolt. It came from a Thrift Shop and in a section you might overlook. So, my hot tip for today: Look in the bathing suit/coverup section. I’m pretty sure this piece was a sarong (usually used over a swimsuit and ties above the bustline. It measured a good 60″ x 60″ . That’s a nice size chunk of fabric to work with.

Floating in the breeze. I cut this back even longer than the pattern said, just so it would be extra “floaty.”

I made sure that the company logo from that sarong showed on the bottom corner of the back.

The front of this Sparky Top is a beautiful multi-colored quilting cotton. Every color from the key fabric (Sarong) is in here.

Close up of the same fabric. Yummy colors.

I found a piece of 100% linen (scrap from a set of sheets and pillowcases that I MADE). Yes, you read that right, and I had 1/2 yard left over that I saved, of course, for years. I used a great bubble stencil (my friend Patty P. created it) with Oil Paint Sticks. These are fantastic as long as you let the project dry for at least 2 days and then heat set. The colorful “slow stitching” is done with a heavier cotton thread.

On a completely different topic, I collect all things with the letter ” E.” Isn’t this the coolest book end, letter “E” out of, you guessed it A BOOK! I bought this, maybe, 15 years ago at the store called, “Anthropologie.” So, of course I came home and said to my husband (the store had the whole alphabet mind you),”My mother bought EVERY Reader’s Digest book EVER MADE.” We could make our own Alphabet letters (She has boxes of them in her garage she wont read again) and sell them. What kind of saw do we need honey?” …Silence, then several eye rolls, and my ever patient husband said, “Let me think on that.”

Fast forward 15 years. The bags have been in MY garage now, and move around to this corner, that corner, ACCCKK….nothing has happened with them except a shuffle, shuffle, game. This is the last bag I have oh so slowly moved them along. I have to say the covers are so interesting. Wouldn’t this design make a great fabric? I really like the colors, smoky gray, old gold,with cream. A Reader’s Digest Condensed book is (usually 5 stories) that have been condensed, into a single book. Above, Volume 1, 1970.

And this one, Volume 1, 1963. Yes, this book is 40 years old!!!! How about fabric paints painted and sponged onto a piece of linen. Overlay with simple lines using a black fine point fabric pen. What a fun idea.

Uh oh! I saw a squirrel. While photographing the “BOOKS” I turned my head and saw my favorite piece of yard art (the metal flower) surrounded by branches from our Maple tree (Sangu Kaku), in the cool shade. I like this picture.

We took our dog Riley to his favorite trail for a walk. Queen Anne’s Lace, blooming profusely along the sidewalk edge.

The Queen Anne’s Lace runs 3 feet wide and continues at least 100 yards along the front sidewalk. This beautiful wild flower bobs its’ flower heads in the gentlest of breezes as it leads us to the entrance of the trail.

Don’t forget, check out all my “Art to Wear” sewing patterns at my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidi
Emmett And follow me on Instagram: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett, and of course Pinterest: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett

Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate you all so much. This weekend, find 15 minutes a day to celebrate your creativity. You never know where it will lead. Hugs and Blessings, Heidi

P.S. Tonight is the “Paint and Sip with Riley” class. Wish me luck. I’ll show you the results next Friday.

Adding to The BAG O’FUN!

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This and That Friday! It’s Fiber Jewelry, Mostly!

by HEIDI WEISS EMMETT

Before we dive in here all the fiber jewelry pictures are from my visits to Pinterest. I pin everyday, remember? 15 minutes, THAT’S IT! Never, ever do I consider Pinterest a “time waster.” It was started as an idea sharing tool and it truly is. I have saved each of these on my giant board under, “Fiber Jewelry.” So if you want to read more about the “maker” of these pieces, go to Pinterest and find me, DesignsbyHeidiEmmett and you can look under “Fiber Jewelry” and read all about what’s going on with each particular picture. So, here we go:

Want this. Hmm… must locate a sweater first with long enough sleeves and flared too. Oh what a shame, I HAVE to go shopping (preferably the thrift store). Ha,ha.

Definitely want these. And they don’t have to MATCH!

A place for all ones favorite Ephemera.

Pin, earrings? You choose.

I never thought to spray paint my safety pins. Great idea.

Truly, use some of your favorite things that you have gathered over the years.

O.K., this is tin, not fiber. But why not make a cloth heart and use a hole punch or awl to create the holes for the wire?

I just received this really fun piece a few days ago. I splurged on some “Fiber jewelry” this week. Sadiesez, Whimsical recycled. It is from an Etsy shop titled, “Sadiesez.”

I splurged on some “Fiber jewelry” this week. Sadiesez, Whimsical recycled, an Etsy shop. Beautifully created. Can’t wait to wear it. Check out her shop!

More great fiber jewelry from a great site on Etsy, called, ” Sadiesez” I say it reminds me of steampunk.

O.K., THIS is my piece. I purchased the beaded necklace. And then I placed a scrap of Kantha cloth (from a larger scrap of a Japanese Kantha scarf that a friend gave me). Who said that they don’t want “scraps?” Not me. But WAIT!

Same necklace, but how about a piece of polymer clay ( I made this polymer myself, thank you very much). Hm…is polymer clay fibrous? Of course, I can’t decide which one I want to use, O.K., maybe I’ll make it so I can interchange. Sigh… I’m not going to live long enough to keep this up! But ohhh… the possibilities.

Such a simple idea and yet so chic. I bet we all have some hoop earrings we can “add” silk ribbon or pieces to. Or add the pieces to a necklace piece. Where is my “Trims” bin?

On that silk ribbon vein, this is interesting. I’m not sure though if I could handle all the wrapping and knotting with one hand, that appears to be going on.

O.K., that’s it on the fiber jewelry. I’m going down the denim trail now. Stay with me now, you are almost to the end. I really like these placemats that were made out of denim scraps.

Speaking of denim, I finally brought out my sweatshirt/denim upcycled top from 2 years ago. It’s kind of funny, I wore it last year and nary a comment. And then it got hot so I put it away. Fast forward to this year and…. Wow! the nice comments. I really, really, want to create my own. You will need one sweatshirt and lots of different pieces of denim scraps.

I bought this one, yes, on Etsy. I really liked what she did with the neckline and the addition of the denim flower on the back. This is a perfect top for the cooler, spring days. Oh, wait. I did add my own pocket on the center front to cover a thread bare portion (not a good look right there) and now I want to add a pocket or two in back as well. I can never have enough pockets. I just have to remember to check them all before I wash the item.

Have a great, creative weekend! Find those 15 minutes a day to create. It all adds up! Hugs and blessings to you all, Heidi

Where Do I Find The Fabrics I Use in My Patterns?

by Heidi Emmett

When I purchase fabrics, WHEREVER it might be, I am ALL ABOUT THE QUALITY of the fabric.

“Oh, the THRILL of the hunt!” That describes my fabric buying adventures perfectly whether on line or in person. My favorite place for the thrill of that hunt is, bar none, the Thrift Store. I have been “Thrifting” (the upscaled term for going to the Thrift Shop ha,ha) for 32+ years now. I know exactly how long because I was pregnant with our son when I first stepped into the Salvation Army Thrift shop in our town, to look for possible furniture to decorate our spare bedroom. A whole new world awaited me as I stepped through those double glass doors. I’ve loved going ever since that very first visit. Some people are really put off by Thrift stores and that’s o.k., but I’m speaking to an adventurous group (hey, you follow me here at my BLOG so you HAVE to be the adventurous type) so let’s see what it is all about.

I do want to discuss a bit, the inner workings of MOST thrift shops today. Oh my goodness, this month, March, marks my first year of working at Sammie’s friends! Clean, nice looking, items are what all thrift shops want. People who donate drive up to the donation spot of the Thrift Shop. Workers are there to help unload donations. They are sorted immediately. On the first run through, if something is deemed dirty, falling apart, etc. it goes into a dumpster right away. During the initial sorting, everything is put into bags, clothing, linens, etc. and then placed in bins. There are bins for EVERYTHING! Scarves, fabric, baby clothes, etc. Then, volunteers go to a bin and bring a bag of, say, women’s clothing to a large working table. Each item is looked at as it comes out of the bag. If it looks good (free from stains, clean, etc.) it goes on the table, out flat, for future pricing. The stack starts to grow. If a piece is stained, holes in it, etc. then it goes to a “rag” bag. These rags (all fabric types, from t-shirts to drapery panels, to sweaters, etc.) are all put into a big special container. Once a month or so, a company picks up the container and drops off another empty one. The “rags” are then sent to manufacturers here in the U.S. and overseas. Every piece is recycled. This is so cool. Have you ever purchased a “rag rug?”

The “pile” on the table is then priced and put on a rack. The rack fills up and out it goes to the main store area to be placed on the appropriate racks there. I only have one shift, four hours per week. Other volunteers come in more often. The perk at my thrift shop where I work is that I get up to 1/2 off on items I want to purchase. This has become very, VERY, dangerous for me! I always say, “I pay to play!”

Here is a perfect “blank canvas” for purchased fabric from a fabric store or in the case below, jeans from the 1/2 off jeans table.

Yes, two pair of different jeans, one light and one dark, were used. I open out the legs and cut out the vest pieces with no regard to seams (they add texture) . On the home page of my BLOG look for the “Categories” box and click on “Mia” vest/ or Mommy & Me and my quilted vest & quilt. Past posts will pop up. Read all about the denim vest above.

Tell your friends that you collect scraps! They will be thrilled to give you their scraps. No one likes to throw beautiful fabric scraps away. “Give them to Heidi! She collects everything!” Yes I do and I’m proud of it!

Sparky Top is such fun to make when using several different fabrics as suggested. The black fabric in the center is from a fabric store. The side panels in polka dots are from a skirt I found at the T.S. Let’s get a closer look at the center front fabric.

This is from Joann’s fabrics. The first place I go to when I’m in there is the remnant table. Fabulous finds can be found there. Then it’s on to the “fancy” department. That is where I found this very cool cotton piece. A dotted swiss with bias strips of cotton sewn in a circular pattern.

This beautiful printed silk chiffon in the back piece of this Sparky Top came from a Maxi-dress. The dress was beautifully made so I admit it was hard to cut into. But I reminded myself that I no longer wear halter type items. Haha. That helped. Because it was so pretty, I decided to make the back piece longer to look dressier and show off the fabric more.

Another “Blank Canvas” for fun fabrics is Zephyr Jacket. Look at all my “Art to Wear” patterns as my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett. You can purchase there, Or, email me directly about my patterns and I will give you FREE shipping for the month of March, 2023 for the patterns you purchase. Just mention you saw it on this post.

I have talked about the silk pieces on the front of this Zephyr Jacket before, but it bears repeating. The turquoise silk taffeta is from a skirt and the red-violet silk Dupioni came from a pair of pants. Hmm…it could be the other way around (its been awhile).

I love how the thrift shop sweater (my sister-in-law found it for me. We enjoy shopping these stores together) peeks out from under this Zephyr Jacket. The main fabric is a Kaffe Fassett cotton (found at Villa Rosa Fabrics, see below) and the front pieces inside and out are from a pair of silk capris. Lovely textured silk.

Here is a list of the online places that I have purchased fabric from. Click on the red colored link areas to see each site. Fabrics-store.com is linens only. All of these places have beautiful fabrics and have great reputations for good service.

Fabric Mart

Hart’s Fabric online

Emma One Sock Fabrics

Marcy Tilton Fabrics

Fabrics-store.com

Villa Rosa Fabrics (this shop is 6.5 minutes from my home, yikes).

While I love to shop on-line (I always hit the sale page first, just in case) for fabric, it can be a real budget buster. Sometimes I put it “into the cart” and mull it over for 24 hours before I hit the “Buy” button.

So get out there this weekend and start your own fabric museum as I have. You are the curator and MUST make acquisitions. Above all, have FUN! Thanks for stopping by this week. Hugs and Blessings to all, Heidi

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

by HEIDI EMMETT

Coldest temps. registered in a long time for ALL of northern CA. Two storms came straight down from the gulf of Alaska. Sooooo grateful for all the moisture. This latest storm signals an end to the fire season. Hallelujah! Not the drought, yet. I wont let my husband empty the rain gauge. It is such a beautiful site to see over 5″ of rain in it!!!!

Sew, I went to my scarf tubs. Yes, you read that right, tubs, as in 2 very full tubs. I like scarves O.K.! Truth be told, I haven’t opened those tubs in almost 2 years. It hasn’t been cold enough. I went through the tubs carefully looking and thinking about each scarf. I’m down to one tub! All the others that are iffy are in one tub that has been spirited to the garage on a shelf (can’t bear to give them away just yet, sigh….)

This scarf was at the bottom of one of the tubs. I was so happy to see it after almost 2 years! It’s made from scraps of wool I found in the trash (ON THE TOP! I was NOT rummaging) at a fabulous sewing retreat.

I copied a very cool scarf I saw at the Santa Fe Weaving Gallery (on line). I can’t link it today. Type in your search bar, SantaFeWeavingGallery and it will pop up.

A very fun “Black & White” combo with this machine felting project. Read all about it under the “Felting” category. Go to the home page of this Blog and look for the “Categories” box. Scroll through to find that “Felting” category. When you click on it, past posts all about FELTING will pop up.

First, please notice what’s left of the snow. It’s the perfect backdrop for cozy scarves. This beauty is extra long, and so soft. It begs to be wrapped several times. It’s 100% cashmere.

Thrift shop find in Truckee, CA (sometimes it is the coldest spot in the lower 48 states).And it’s where I have found most of my cashmere. Learn more about this beautiful scarf that only cost $1.00 because of just a couple of holes. On the home page, Categories box, Felting.

In this close up you can see that the once smooth yarn has been punched with 5 empty needles (no thread) using my felting machine. The action of the needles going up and down, grabs onto the cashmere and holds beautifully.

Here is the reverse side showing that the yarn did come through the cashmere to the back side. Such a sweet machine. I get a “Zen” feeling every time I use it (no threading of needles and no bobbin).

This scarf is a nice soft wool and was cream colored to start.

I used “Aunt Lydia’s knit crosheen” in a variegated color and a larger eyed tapestry needle.

AND, I wanted all the knots to show, and varied them to be on the back side and the other side so it could be worn any which way. Again, mindless stitching for when my mind needs a creative break.

Don’t forget to visit my Etsy shop: DesignsbyheidiEmmett/sewing patterns to see all the patterns I showcase from my Art to Wear collection. Maybe you will get creative with a scarf this weekend. Hmm…sew many choices. Above all, HAVE FUN! Hugs and blessings, Heidi

A THIS AND THAT FRIDAY!

by HEIDI EMMETT

Have fun looking these over.

I have done a bracelet like this (minus the dingle balls). For the base of the bracelet I used the carboard end of shipping tape. Perfect size. Maybe ask at a UPS store. Orrr.. coffee cardboard sleeves. Hey, I did a BLOG post on that. Go to the home page of my BLOG and look for the “Category’s” box. Scroll through to find “Misc.” or “Upcycling.” What a fun idea this lampshade would be for a sewing room or a kids room.

This is so COOL! And because they are circles there are no strings hanging off the edges. Maybe they are 5-6″ circles?

I’m not sure how this was created. Maybe smears of paint? Gouache paints because they are opaque? Slow process as each layer must dry first. But really cool. Oh wow, I could make my own fabric. Hmm….

I think that this is such a super cool idea! I do need a long hall though. Hanging them might be the hardest part. And check out the quilted wallhanging at the end of the hallway. And I think those are crocheted long, skinny hangings on either side of the quilt? What a fun space.

This is exactly how I have felt lately trying to get out into the vegetable garden just to pull weeds, VERY STIFF! And once again I forgot about the “tennis ball trick” (lay on the floor and tuck the tennis ball where it hurts). Your body weight on the tennis ball helps release the kinks. But I STUPIDLY let 2 days go by before I remembered.

I really like this. I only have 15+ jean jackets ready to go for “Upcycled Denim” projects. Sigh..I do love the collecting portion of upcycling.

These next two pictures say “Desigual” in the comment space. I will do this someday. It is such a great idea. I am familiar with the Desigual brand. Just for kicks I went to Ebay and typed in Desigual Jacket. Uhh…1,100 came up. What a FUN company to work for! You will get lost in all the great ideas you will see.

O.K., I’m really, REALLY going to do this. Ha, can you believe it, I don’t own a denim workshirt. Goody, goody, something to shop for at the Thrift shop. And then I need a poncho or ruana. I will definitely keep you posted on this one. It is so different.

Upcycled denim. This one is precious. All the picture said was liventernet.ru So simple but lovely at the same time. Hey, I could put something like this on the back of one of my denim jackets. Or big enough to make a pillow.

And here’s another one. Check out liveinternet.ru

This top is so cute. I really like the “gathering detail” on the blouse. Simple but very stylish way to cinch in a top. The skirt is cute too.

Early morning Kitty in a puddle of sun. Sweet Rubix.

When life and the world feel out of control, sit still in a puddle of sunshine and sip your morning coffee and think of this verse.

Thank you for stopping by. I so appreciate each and every one of you. Let’s all get out there and get our creative going this weekend. Hugs, Heidi

Old Quilts! Let’s Make a Jacket/Coat! HOT New Trend!

by HEIDI EMMETT

Do you have one? If it is a family heirloom, keep it that way. If it’s one that is tattered here and there , the HOT new look are jackets and coats made from old quilts. I need to say up front, again, I am not talking about the quilt made by your grandmother or a quilt destined for the Smithsonian. I mean just what I said at first, a quilt that is tattered here and there. Let’s look it over and I say, RESCUE it and make it into something that will turn heads!

Here are two that I was considering. Stories behind these: Top one I honestly don’t remember where I got it BUT I remember it was a top only. A friend HAND quilted it for me. The nine patch below was purchased 32 yrs. ago from the J.C. Penney’s catalog. It too was put together (by machine) and hand quilted in China. I am not using these two. They are presently hanging over a long railing on our second floor. Finally, I rescued them from the back of my linen closet!

I settled on this one. I bought it at a yard sale 30+ yrs ago. It too was just a top. 9 of these Radiant Stars made up the quilt top. My friend “very lightly” quilted this one too. The blocks were nicely sewn but the overall fabric is fragile because they all had too much sun at some point. All the fabrics are early 30’s I’m guessing. And there are spots (of who knows what) here and there.

I picked my pattern, now it’s time to make “the first cut.” I’m glad I picked the Zephyr jacket pattern because it isn’t fitted and only has 3 pattern pieces. That way the jacket wont look too chopped up, ha, ha, if that’s possible.

Wow, that took A LONG TIME!! to “hunt and gather” the quilt I wanted to use and (lower left), an unfinished little top only, using it for edges and shoulder trim, and scraps of a nice and plain “slow stitched” blue (2 shades of blue)fabric. DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com MY VERSION of a QUILT JACKET using my Zephyr Jacket, “Art to Wear” pattern.

The front of my Zephyr Jacket (a sewing pattern) available at my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett

Side view of Zephyr Jacket made from an old quilt. Notice the shoulder trim (from another very small unfinished quilt top) .

So much fun, it’s different ALL OVER! I really like the trim on the sleeve edges, shoulder, bottom and front edges. All from a small quilt top that I got that was unfinished in the 30’s style of cotton that matches, more or less, the radiant star quilt that I used for the main body.

Another view of Zephyr Jacket with the front pieces folded back and pinned in place.

A close up of the pinned front of Zephyr Jacket. The pin is by a resin/plastic artist named Orna Lalo. I found this pin on Ebay. Visit my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett to see all of my “Art to Wear sewing patterns.

Another back view of Quilt jacket/coat from an old quilt using my Art to Wear jacket pattern called Zephyr Jacket. Etsy shop for this pattern: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett

I like the fabrics that were used for the Radiant Star (not sure if that’s the correct block name). Each of the nine Radiant Stars are completely different.

The fabrics from the 30’s are so unique and many have been reproduced. Check out Etsy and Ebay under 30’s reproduction quilting fabrics. Let’s take a look at some jackets/coats I found on Pinterest.

Nice!

WOW!

Couldn’t resist this picture. I

These are very fun. Great over dresses, long and short, pants, etc.

Perfect with jeans.

Careful when you wash this one. Use a “Color Catcher” sheet so it doesn’t bleed red onto the white.

I really like that they used denim for the sleeves. Perfect.

My all time favorite pattern, “Log Cabin.” Can you believe it! I made a Log Cabin jacket for a lady over 45 years ago. The squares in this coat are similar in size to that jacket. Wow, is already time for “what was old is new again.”

Double wedding ring quilt beautifully lined up for this jacket.

Modern quilted jacket. I LOVE it.

A star quilt and names of who made the square are embroidered in the center of the block they created.

New, old, hard to tell with this quilt jacket.

This is a lovely quilt coat. Snowball pattern maybe? The following pictures are of some of the process for my quilt jacket.

Picking the fabrics that all go with each other. Yes, I am the curator of my museum of all things fabric. The job doesn’t pay very well, but I LOVE it. Ha, ha.

Where oh WHERE do I cut??? The song lyrics, “The first cut is the deepest,” really hit home.

I had to show you my “RADIANT” sunrise picture. It reminds me of the radiant star pattern in my quilt jacket.

I paid homage to this incredible “Radiant Star” sunrise with my beautiful Zephyr Jacket made from a quilt. Do you have a quilt that is languishing in the back of a closet? Get it out, show it off either on the wall/railing or on YOU! Thank you for stopping by. I hope I have inspired you to get your creative going this weekend. Hugs & blessings, Heidi

BOYFRIEND JACKET- An Updated version!

by HEIDI EMMETT

Remember those? I had several back in the day. In case you missed that “Fashion Moment”, you would wear a men’s sports coat (maybe a size larger) with the sleeves rolled up a bit, and a crisp white shirt and jeans. This was the early 80’s. Fast forward to a year+ ago I found my one remaining boyfriend jacket in the back of the winter closet .It fit me really well and I loved it still (that IS why I kept it all these years). Hmm…how do I wear it now? Uh oh, Is THAT a moth hole? And I spy another one! And another one! Nooo……!!!

So one day, I gathered this fabulous sample piece of a beautiful Scalamandre’ silk fabric. I cut it in a weird shape (just because I didn’t want a simple rectangle). In retrospect I maybe SHOULD have kept it as a rectangle. It was slippery to work with and my hand work, the outer edges,wasn’t my best. Oh well, too late now. Onward I go. I gathered a few colors of DMC embroidery floss and a couple of felted wool pieces and some yo yo’s and some beads. I keyed all my color ideas right from the Scalamandra piece. I used my chakoner (to the left) to draw some curved lines to follow with my stitching. Those vines were done in the full six strand of floss. Eeegads (not sure if this is a real word, but it works for me), how did I miss more moth holes? Well that’s what the circles of wool are for. And I think I’ll add some beads too.

Here is my inspiration piece for the wavy lines (to become vines with leaves) and the cool button detailing with floss too. I LOVE, LOVE this pillow. It was given to me by my dear friend Linda M. my Portland, OR sewing sister.

O.K. it’s time for some leaves. So I brought in the Cashmere sweater bin and some FABULOUS wool roving (thank YOU Sharon C.). The roving is in the dk. green.

Which color for the leaves? And right side of the sweater or wrong side?

For some reason the leaves were a difficult decision to make.

I just want to stitch, and create, and sew!

A close up of the floss (DMC is my all time favorite) and the stem stitch and some center of the yo yo beading. Also, check out the gorgeous houndstooth weave of this cashmere and I think the two colors are so yummy together.

Did I mention that this beautiful jacket is 100% Cashmere and it is lined in silk? It didn’t say where it was made but the crest above the fiber content makes me think that it is Scotland or England.

The front shows two stacked wool felted “coins” that I found on Ebay. So much work to make my own(and I STILL can’t cut a perfect freeform circle, so I bought some already stacked and stitched. Whoo hoo. The little velvet flower with a “diamond” center is something from a necklace. Yes, of COURSE I collect old jewelry pieces to take apart for something else.

Beads can go anywhere, they don’t have to just be in the yo yo centers, they are subtle in the embroidered vine.

I love these square beads. And I like the texture of the leaves by using the roving. Uh oh, my stitching on the leaves are NOT very good. It was night time O.K. and I had been enjoying some wine. I can always find an excuse.

All these fabrics work well together.

Taa Daa! Gotta show off the back first. I am LOVING this piece. My UPDATED BOYFRIEND JACKET!

Silk, wool, cashmere, cotton, are just some of the bits I used in my latest “Art to Wear” piece. See it at the Feb. 25th, 2022 Blog post of DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com

The front side, near the lapel, gives a subtle hint for the back. And the white ruffled blouse is the perfect feminine touch to go with my BOYFRIEND JACKET. DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com

And how about my motorcycle boots? This is my kind of look. Very eclectic and comfortable.

Everyone needs a BOYFRIEND JACKET! I can’t wait to see what you will create.

My thought for the day. Have a super weekend filled with all things creative. Big hugs from Heidi

Steampunk Meets Sparky Top!

by HEIDI EMMETT

And you thought my “Art to Wear” sewing pattern, SPARKY TOP was just for simple summer days, light and airy. Well, well, read on my friends!

Here is the cover sheet for my Sparky Top pattern. Visit my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett to see ALL my “Art to Wear Patterns.

A summer Sparky Top using printed silk chiffon and Kaffe Fassett fabrics. See, it catches the summer breeze just right. DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com is my blog and Sparky Top is the name of my Art To Wear pattern above.

Summertime at a Maui beach. Sparky Top pattern is front and center for staying cool . And now for the meeting of Steampunk with Sparky Top.

Look what just came in the mail all the way from the United Kingdom! It is a “Steampunk Queen Bee articulated necklace.” It is from an Etsy shop called, “KindHeart’sEmporium.” It is run by Philippa. She is amazing. Her “Steampunk” jewelry is amazing. Please go visit her shop.

And NOW for the Steampunk Sparky Top.

I think Rex (in the lower right hand corner )has a “Steampunk” look about him. He’s checking on the progress of my picture taking. Every bit of this top originated as some other article of clothing. It was fun to create, but I had never worn it because it was missing something to set it apart.

Enter, my Queen Bee necklace. DesignsbyHeidi.wordpress.com announces my “Steampunk” version of my Art to Wear sewing pattern called Sparky Top.

The back had been bothering me it was super plain. Once I had “Queen Bee” in hand, I knew what I had to do. Left over buttons, beads, and a ribbon rose (sits on the shoulder) and the flat spiral rose (from a large piece of fabric with those roses all over it), and a dab of netting (from the inside lining of a waterproof jacket). Ohhh, the things I save! I almost forgot, the back piece is from a sweater, the front of the sweater actually (hence the buttons and buttonholes).

Doesn’t looking at this necklace get the “cogs and wheels” of your mind turning with fun ideas for creating your own steampunk Sparky Top!?! My Etsy shop for Art to Wear sewing patterns, DesignsbyHeidiEmmett.

The lower back was a skirt with a side opening of all those buttons and little extra pieces of fabrics and beads. Let’s take a closer look…..

Isn’t this such nice detailing?

The front was once a really large dress (that equals lots of great fabric).

Time out. A steampunk dog don’t you think? Awwww….what a good boy!

A little different angle of the back. I think I will add more do-dads to the other side. I just ran out of time for this post.

Oh, I almost forgot, I added sleeves of a most gorgeous 4 way stretch piece of panne’ velvet. Wow, an actual piece of fabric! It’s easy to add a sleeve to a drop shouldered top. Pin the tissue pattern pieces together at the shoulders. Lay a piece of pattern paper underneath the sleeve edge. Draw a line from the back of the sleeve edge to the bottom of the front edge (you just made a sleeve cap). Determine how long you want your sleeve Measure from the edge of the shoulder to the finished length at your wrist area. And measure the wrap around your wrist that you want. Looser is always better. You can always take it in if necessary. Take the sleeve length measurement (add a 1″ hem amount at the wrist area) and transfer it to the paper. Draw the line straight down from the top of the shoulder to the bottom. Transfer half of the sleeve width on one side of the long line and the other half on the other side. Fill in the long lines that make up the sides of the sleeves. Voila’ ! You just created a sleeve pattern. Don’t forget to add 1/4″ seam allowances where needed.

One last view of the Sparky Top back portion. Who knew that inspiration was just a necklace away from making it all work. I can’t tell you how many compliments I have received from wearing My Steampunk outfit today. Even at the grocery store! I hope you have an inspiring weekend and will MAKE TIME to use that inspiration in your own creative way. Big hugs to you and I so appreciate your stopping by! Heidi

A Little of This and That!

By HEIDI EMMETT

I thought I would go for something different this Friday. So enjoy a little of this and that on this day. We’ve got some humor, cute pictures and, some wise words.

It’s the “Cat Pope.”

Love this.

From the blog: Agilejack.wordpress.com I just LOVE the pictures of her cute “puppskies.”

Another great saying.

Adorable felted pillows. It has been so hot lately, but next week with cooler weather predicted, I shall dust off “ye olde Felting Machine” I think.

Great saying don’t you agree?! So let’s all get to working on something creative. Remember what I always say, “15 minutes a day is all you need to get yourself going on a project.”

What??!! How did this Tote Bag get into this post? Well, it’s here so let’s check it out. Hmm… what are these pieces exactly? Very strange shapes.

Look closely, and YES they are shirt collars.

This Tote Bag took 13 men’s shirt collars to make. The bottom is a scrap of denim.

I have really enjoyed this Tote Bag. It’s definitely a one of a kind. O.K., O.K., I collect men’s shirts at the thrift shop for their fabric and colorways. So finding 13 shirts was uh….not a problem for me. Sigh….. I paired the tote with my J.Jill skirt that has layered appliques all around the skirt and ribbons top stitched down. The bottom of the skirt has a layer of stitched nylon netting peaking out from underneath.

The Tote Bag pattern came from THIS Book. It truly is on the Edgy side.

Here is the back cover. I have 8 copies left, all brand new. Buy it from me for $12.00 (includes tax), plus $4.00 shipping. Email me at hmemmett@gmail.com if you want one. All transactions done through Paypal.

Thank you all so much for stopping by. Big hugs to you all, Heidi

ZEPHYR means Gentle Breeze!

by HEIDI EMMETT

We could all use some gentleness in life right now. The following are some pictures of a Zephyr Jacket that I made. Enjoy!

Email me at hmemmett@gmail.com for more information on purchasing one of my “Art To Wear” patterns .

Visit my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett to see all of my Art to Wear patterns.

This Zephyr Jacket is made with “Kantha” cloth. Basically it is two layers of fabric (usually made in India) that are hand stitched together. The picture below shows the wrong side.

Blog: Designsbyheidi.wordpress.com

The wrong side is showing as I flipped back the front panel. White running stitches are seen on the back side of the Kantha cloth. Visit my Etsy shop, DesignsbyHeidiEmmett to order a copy of this pattern.

I purchased this Kantha piece on Etsy. Type in the words Kantha Cloth and you can shop for many, many, designs and sizes. They are actually purchased as blankets, bedspreads, or throws. My size Small Zephyr Jacket (pattern at my Etsy shop, DesignsbyHeidiEmmett) took one throw to complete.

If you didn’t have enough Kantha, but have scraps, perfect! Piece it wherever needed. Who will know? You call it a “Design Feature.”

Fun shoulder detailing (need to run the lint brush over it I see). Also, I chose NOT to line the front pieces or do a turn under hem. I added an edging using the black loopy fabric (look to a FUTURE post for this technique).

Inner tube jewelry. A great look for this jacket. This one is stamped with Lime green paint.

This set is perfect for this jacket. A plain black necklace and bracelet.

I couldn’t resist one more necklace to show you all. Fast and easy to make. Hm…look to a Future post on this type of jewelry making as well. Pretty crazy aren’t they? Have a creative weekend everyone. Hugs, Heidi

A Simple Upcycle. Check out my Latest Piece.

by HEIDI EMMETT

Yes, it’s STILL hot and smoky. It is summer (it’s supposed to be hot) so iced tea and ice water are in order today. So let’s look at a “cool” picture.

I feel cooler just looking at that Lake Tahoe backdrop. And if you make your own Rafiki skirt using my pattern, you will be cooler in general and “cool” as in looking good. Email me at hmemmett@gmail.com to purchase directly from me. I will pay the shipping. $15. US (includes tax).

On to my latest “Upcycled” project.

I bought this top years and years ago. I feel that it has become shorter and shorter each year. I think that is in direct proportion to my hips getting wider and wider. Hmm…Enough! of THAT kind of thinking. At any rate I wanted to add length. I decided to add it directly to the bottom because of the cool little border piece already at the bottom hem.

It truly took a few years and many purchases (LOVE that part of course) until I found just the right colors of quilting cotton (the top is made of quilting cotton weight too).

I picked two different fabrics, cut my desired length and pieced them together. I just cut and sewed pieces together until I had enough width to go around the bottom. I wanted it to be “weighted” down so after piecing the circle of fabric, BEFORE I machine hemmed it, I slipped another piece into the hem area (it is the blue spotty fabric on the left). I then stitched it in place.

So here is the front after I sewed the circle of fabric onto the bottom. There is too much white in the “star” piece. So I did some experimenting with getting rid of the white.

I pulled out my newest favorite thing. My fabric markers (permanent) by Arteza. I love that they have for each color, an Ultra Fine Tip on one end, and a Fine Tip on the other.

It’s just like coloring in a coloring book for this project.

Before using the pens…….

Before again. Don’t you think as I do, the stars are too white?

Taa Daa! After! I think the colors are so beautiful in this top and it was worth the wait to find just the right pieces to help it all flow together beautifully

Whoops, I forgot to show the back. It’s pretty much just the one piece. I used only two different fabrics in the circle for the bottom.

Riley, waiting VERY patiently for a little treat after “Puppy Pushups.” When he gets a treat that he LOVES his lips quiver and he drools (I need to get a video for you all to see). Riley is turning into “the BEST DOG EVER! ” We even leave the barricades pretty much open except at night. Remember, we have 2, 9 yr. old cats that are inside and outside. They all just ignore each other. Let’s hope it lasts.

This is a mini-jellyfish. I love the polka dots and colors. What does polka dot mean? Just typing it out looked weird. So I “googled” it.

The Polka Dot Craze of the 19th Century

The modern term “Polka Dot” comes from the polka dance craze that swept through Europe in the mid-19th century. The term “polka dots” to refer to a spotted fabric first appeared in print in 1857 in Godey’s Lady’s Book, a Philadelphia-based women’s magazine of the time period.

Here is another “craze,” using silk ties. I’ve seen necklaces, quilts, & vests, and even a throw using silk ties, but this is a first. A silk tie dress.

I think it is really creative. And may your creativity abound this next week.

I leave you with this verse from the Bible: Be Joyful in Hope, Patient in Affliction, Faithful in Prayer. Romans 12:12 Hugs, Heidi

California, The “Shake and Bake” state. And an Upcycle!

by Heidi Emmett

Feast your eyes on this picture of Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point, Nevada, 3 miles from South Shore. I took this picture on June 24th, at 10:30 in the morning, temperature, 62 degrees, elevation 6300ft. Sigh…..I’m just gazing and soaking in the fact that it was lusciously cool. Ha, I was even wearing a sweatshirt.

Picture taken below Cabin # 8 (used to be the Bear Necessities Gift Shop) on the Zephyr Point Conference center grounds in Nevada. 6300ft. elevation.

On Thursday (July 8th) at 3:50p.m. I was sitting right here at my desk top, beginning today’s post. My set up is in an antique armoire. One of our two cats sleeps on top. When he jumps down the armoire shakes a tiny bit. Rubix jumps from the top to a window ledge that is right next to me. I was searching for pictures for my post when the whole armoire shook. I looked for Rubix and startled by NOT seeing him, I jumped up and away from the armoire. Simultaneously, my husband shouted from upstairs in his office, “Heidi?!” I stood in the doorway looking at the dining room and the living room (we have open plan concept). Maybe 5 seconds after the armoire incident, ALL the windows in the dining and living rooms rattled, loud enough for me to stay rooted to my spot until it passed. Robert immediately went to the EarthquakeUSGS.gov site. 6.0 earthquake in Smith Valley, Nevada (the base of the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Straight line site, 150 miles away, southeast of us.

AND another HEAT wave is settling over the western states. Possible rolling blackouts, sigh… fire danger. Check out this site (we HAVE to to know where the latest fire might be): Flightradar24.com We have an Air Attack airbase 1.5 miles away from where we live. Thank you, thank you, to the Lord above for this! We feel so much safer. So now you know WHY the title.

On with the post!

It all started with scraps. I wanted to create a dress/longer tunic with a pieced skirt area. So I started to “collect” my favorites, yellow greens and blacks. These are all quilting cotton weight. Made this a few summers back. LOVED the whole process.

Here’s the back. I wear it often. I set aside all the scraps (um…I had a bunch).

Fast forward one summer. I found this 100% linen knit top. It was too short for my taste. Hmm…what to do, what to do? Pulled out those scraps from the first dress I had made. I pieced together some of the scraps. Just so you know, I am wearing black capris. Sometimes the lighting……

And the back. I cut the shirt across through both layers and inserted the newly created fabric strip that I had first sewn into a circle. I added a few strips of black and white cotton knit. Summer ended and I put my fun top away.

O.K. I pulled out my fun top a few weeks back. This summer I chose to add some netting to fill in the neck a bit. And I still have some scraps.

With those scraps I fashioned a crazy pocket to add to the front. I think I’m done. Ahh, but I still have scraps!

I have quite a few techniques in both the dress and the top. I’m thinking. I could create a class. It would be an “Etsy” class. It would be in a pdf/digital format. It would be printable on your home printer. There would be lots and lots of pictures. It would be reasonably priced. Under $10.00. I would do it in a step by step format and give you all the ins and outs so you would NOT make the mistakes I did. Hmm….I just thought of this class idea as I finished typing up this blog post (I’m late because internet and phones went offline for 4 1/2 hours). What do you think? Email me at hmemmett@gmail.com or comment about it right here. I would love your thoughts.

It has been a crazy past 48 hours so I decided I needed a good laugh. I’ve gotta say I have never seen chicken “shaming” but I guess there is a first for almost anything. Thank you so much for stopping by. Big hugs to you all! Heidi

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2021

by HEIDI EMMETT

Oh my goodness! When this fashion show came across my path, I was MEZMORIZED! Patchwork and quilting ARE HOT in the fashion world right now! I think they have been for the past few seasons but Dolce & Gabbana have taken it to the edge! I had to watch it a second time to catch the nuances and fabulous coming together of pattern, color, and design. A friend told me she saw my Rafiki Skirt (Art to Wear Pattern) in the mix. Thank you Mary B. That’s when I watched the show a second time and spotted other patterns (from my Art to Wear pattern line, available at my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett/sewing patterns). What fun! Enjoy the show.

Here is the link:

Nailheads add just the right amount of bling on this woven/patched outfit with purse. Have an old pair of boots that you just can’t give up? Recreate this look by gluing patchworked fabrics right to the leather.

I would totally wear these pants. Well maybe not, as the stripe direction would be a sorry sight with my hips.

My Raki Skirt sewing pattern would be sooooo PERFECT with this look. My skirt pattern has a total of 7 different fabrics in it. See it in my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett/sewing patterns .Or contact me at hmemmett@gmail.com for direct delivery by me.

Terrific Tabard is a “Blank Canvas” for the Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2021 look. Hey, I think I have it going on already on the cover photo. Designs by Heidi – Contact info. hmemmett@gmail.com

WOW OH WOW! All that’s missing is the kitchen sink! On closer inspection there are things here I would try. The skirt is made of woven pieces. That could be very interesting in a “Whisper Blouse” bodice.

Interested in any of my Art to Wear sewing patterns? Email me at hmemmett@gmail.com and buy directly from me, or visit my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett/sewing patterns to see all that I have. They come as hard copies and/or digital/PDF formating.

Zephyr Jacket, always a winner when you want something easy to wear and wear it all seasons depending what you put under it.

This started as a sweat shirt. WOW! Just an FYI . I am working on an online class for upcyling a sweatshirt. I just might include this picture. The class will be on Course Craft. Check out the classes that Jane Haworth and Sandra Bruce have on that site. Go to Craftcourse.net and type in their names. Jane and Sandra and myself are part of Artistic Alchemy. It is a sewing/quilting retreat held on the shores of Lake Tahoe on the Nevada side. Please visit our site: Artisticalchemyblog.wordpress.com for more information.

These two Bolero styled vests are a great starting point to use my Calypso Vest pattern as you will see below.

I think these two Calypso Bolero vests (on the cover)with the colors and prints I used to make them (mostly Kaffe Fassestt) could have been on the runway too. Check out this pattern and all my “Art to Wear” patterns at my Etsy shop: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett/sewing patterns.

This nailhead woven coat, I would TOTALLY wear this.

Wow, that was fun. I almost feel as if I had been there. Maybe this post will give you a jumping off point for a creative sewing project of your own. I hope it will include one of my Art to Wear patterns. Have a wonderfully creative weekend. Hugs, Heidi

My Top 3 Pins on Pinterest!

by HEIDI EMMETT

Join me today for a look at my top three pins on Pinterest! Did you know they keep track of that sort of thing? But first, a tiny little bit about Pinterest. It started in 2010, by a former Google employee. He wanted a way to share pictures and projects with friends. And now, they are a 12 Billion dollar company(many advertisements) and recently had an IPO on the NYSE. My friends Lindsay Ostrom and Christine Barnes introduced me to Pinterest in late 2012. I am up to 3 mil views per month and over 14K followers. AND, this is important, I’m only on it 15 min. per day. Yes, yes, like any other social media it can be a time waster. But the IDEAS you can find and maybe use (riiiighht if I stop using it today and live to be 200 yrs. old), ha, ha, ha. So just a few pictures that I have found on Pinterest or put there myself. And THEN my TOP 3 pins that people re-pin over and over and over….Enjoy!

Rex, our 10 year old kitty, staying warm on a cold day. The scarf, hand knit by Ginger Leuters (look up her book on Module knitting). I was so excited to purchase this scarf at a fund raiser.

just saw this on Pinterest. It may be a project done by kids (batik on muslin using white toothpaste as the resist), but I love their bold designs and use of color. Kids are so free with their artwork. We all need to be that way too. Pablo Picasso said it well, I want

These are fabulous flower pins made with denim, beads, and wool .

I would LOVE to own this sweater. Each leaf, flower, and buds were first hand crocheted and then sewn together in this TRULY ART TO WEAR piece.

What a great way to save a sweater and then add a piece at the bottom. And of course, don’t forget the pockets.

A lovely jacket. I can’t really see how it was put together. I could not make the picture any larger.

Rectangles and squares my favorite shape for clothing.

And look, it has a nice large pocket on the front.

Sometimes dimensions come with the pictures. That’s fun and helpful.

My friend Mary Boalt and her beautifully painted/stamped/stenciled Art to Wear Jacket. I want one of these.

Re-embroidered jeans, these are pretty WOW. Just saw some for sale via Pinterest for $314. I’m sure you figured out that when a price comes up like the $314. instead of say, $295. or $300. it means that this piece is sold in another country. Sure, you can purchase it but watch out for the shipping costs! I know this from experience. Sigh……

Possible painting/stencil idea for fabric of my own.

I love this idea of jean scraps embroidered.

A sheer vest with fabric scraps stitched on the front and back. Very nice.
All rightie then, ON TO MY TOP THREE ‘RE-PINS’ ON PINTEREST!

Number 3 most repinned. I’m still trying to figure out what she is holding. I’m thinking maybe a Rotary Cutter? Sew, the old (pinchsion didn’t we ALL have one of these growing up) and the new(rotary cutter). I have no idea what precipitated this very original outfit, there was no commentary on it.

Number 2 most repinned! Truer words were never spoken, well maybe in the world outside of Laundry ha, ha.

TAA DAA!! My number 1 PIN! When I saw this on Pinterest I found a pair of pants that no longer fit (too tight) and did a more refined version of these capris. Look for my February 15th, 2019 post in the archives of my home page. It’s Titled, “You have to Try This.” That is when it really went out into Pinterest land.

Easter…What a miracle, what a moment, what a Savior. FOR LOVE LIKE THIS, WE CELEBRATE.

Upcycling!

by Heidi Emmett

I’m getting ready to begin upcycling some of my men’s shirt. It’s TIME! It is so easy for me to fill my bins with fabulous shirts that I buy when thrifting.  I often start sketching ideas or look at Pinterest. Here are some recent pics from Pinterest. Notice the GIANT “Pinterest” pin above. I don’t want you to miss it ha, ha. Pinterest is a super way to REALLY REVE UP your creativity!   Upcycling will be a big part of my next week projects. But I need some ideas to get started!

And next week, I plan to have a denim day. One project is already on it’s way to being finished but that never stops me from finding NEW!! ideas. Love these two totes. 

O.K. I scored several pairs of gorgeous jeans in a size that I might have worn when I was 12. I am determined, I say DETERMINED to make them fit me! I really think the ideas above and below are going to be quite workable. They all used ribbing (the stuff you buy by the inch, and it is used for cuffs, waistbands, and necklines. Amazon.) This is so clever, the low riding jeans, I’m ALWAYS hiking them up! I wont buy “mom” jeans but this should do the trick. 

I tried and TRIED to edit out the “maternity” part(of the picture below), but to no avail. So, la, la, la, disregarding the verbage, check out the clever idea of opening up the waistband with ribbing in the pocket area.

This next one looks like a little more work, but stretch lace, again, very clever.

At our last Pine Tree Quilt Guild meeting 6 mos or so before Covid hit, in Grass Valley, CA, some of my intrepid students came and showed off their latest “Art to Wear” creations. Thank you ladies!

Margaret did the coolest thing! She made Zephyr jacket in a wool plaid and the front panels in turquoise blue silk. The wool drapes beautifully and looks good. But what I really, really like, is the addition of the long raspberry colored silk scarf. She said she added it because the wool scratched her neck! Who knew? I think it adds a layer of sophistication and pretty color around her face. 

Jill took Terrific Tabard to a whole new level using only Kaffe lighter weight cottons (so she can wear it all year round).

I wanted you to see the darts she put into her vest for a smooth fit. Darts are added before any embellishing or quilting is done. Easy to do, try on the vest when shoulder seams of the foundation fabric have been sewn, wrong side out. Pin the sides together where you think the tab and buttons should go. If you see any “gaposis”, then it’s time for darts. Pinch out whatever amount is needed to make it smooth  and pin it, in the shape of a dart. Stitch the dart and for the other side, take measurements from the first side.  

Love, love, Jill’s embellishments! 

Marta found a heavier weight rayon (sort of  an ombre’) and worked it into a BEAUTIFUL Whisper Blouse.

She placed the rayons in the perfect figure flattering combination.  She is a beautiful seamstress. AND, she has nailed the “twirling” aspect of Whisper Blouse. 

  Thank you for stopping by. What will you work on this weekend? Remember only 15 minutes a day is all you need to get your creative going. Hugs, Heidi  P.S. Don’t forget to stop by our Artistic Alchemy blog post. We are fired up and ready to take sign ups for September 6-10 at Zephyr point for “ARTISTITC ALCHEMY RETREAT 2021.” Here is the blog address: Artisticalchemyblog.wordpress.com

ONCE UPON A TIME…….

by HEIDI EMMETT

Once upon a time I found a fabulous Coach hand bag at my favorite “boutique” (aka Thrift Shop) in Truckee, CA. It cost me $15. It had suede on the bottom that was dirty. I carefully scrubbed with soap and water. Sadly, the bottom stayed dirty. The year was 2014. I hung it up in my studio and thought and thought about it for a few months. What could be done? I loved the bright fuchsia color. Kaffe Fassett fabrics were strewn all over my attic studio( when aren’t they strewn about?). Hmm…WHAT IF I bring the Kaffe fabrics to my fuschsia purse? A star was born!

    

I covered this one in 2015. The gluing had me worried so I had set it aside for awhile longer. I put it on the Kaffe Fassett site (via Face Book) in 2015. Tons of lovely comments. So proud, use the purse all the time in the summer months.  Fast forward to 2018. My friend Christine Barnes saw my purse on my shoulder one day and said, “Heidi did you know that Kaffe is using his fabrics on Coach Bags this year? W-H-A-AA-T!!??  Google-Kaffe Fassett Coach Bags…..Aren’t they GORGEOUS! Check the prices! I am telling you all this because I would like to think that Kaffe himself was scrolling through his Kaffe Fassett site one day and SAW WHAT I CREATED and maybe, just maybe, he copied ME? One can dream, hope, whatever. It’s fun to think about at any rate.
I really like how the colors and fabric design of this particular Kaffe Fassett fabric worked with my Coach Bag.
Within a few months after finishing my other Coach Bag, voila’ I purchased this tiny Coach Bag at another “boutique.” Same problem. Dirty suede in the corners and on the bottom. The corners were perfect for some Kaffe Fassett yo-yo’s.
Yep, it’s a Coach Bag. $4.00 for the bag used my Kaffe scraps and a small amount of glue.
Everything is glued on with Fabric Tac. You will see a picture of the bottle in a few more pics
I ,of course, could not stop with just Coach Bags. But I did keep up with using the Kaffe Fassett fabrics.

Here is a sweet little cross body bag (ha, ha, I almost wrote “Body Bag” Ohhh, dear!)

Up close you can see the flowers on top of the circle are Kaffe Fabrics, while the under layer is a different fabric that goes with. 

Just 3 weeks ago I found this beauty. Sadly it is not a Coach, but I loved the color. It is all leather and in mint condition except for the usual dirty piece of suede. Did you read that first part, JUST 3 WEEKS AGO, ha, ha, and I made the cover for it THIS morning before writing my blog post. Sometimes inspiration for a post hits at the last minute!
At least I started to whittle down my fabric choices last night. This is Paperweight Kaffe Fassett.
Acck..there are so many Kaffe fabrics I can’t begin to remember them all.
Hmm…this Kaffe could work too.
How about this Baba Gabousch(spelling?) piece by Kaffe Fassett?
And one of my favorites, Turkish Delight by Kaffe Fassett. This is an oldie but after maybe 15 years they brought it back. Sew happy.

Ta da! I chose the unamed one ( I have only a  small piece with no selvages (to see a name)).
I think it is a good choice. I adore these stylized flowers and so many subtle orange variations, and the scale of the print, all work well. Kaffe Fassett is such an amazing colorist and designer!
Here’s a great trick that quilters and sewists use deciding on where to cut on a large scaled printed fabric. The inside lines of this rectangle represent the finished size of the piece I need for the purse front.  Slowly move it around until it hits your “sweet spot.”
I sewed two pieces together and included a piece of iron on-fleece (left side of picture).
I machine quilted through all layers, a simple design. I like the dimension the quilted piece gives to the overall design of the purse/tote. This one is big enough to call a tote.
My all time favorite glue, also, the most EXPENSIVE glue. It REALLY works! $14.99 for 5/6oz

    
I’m not afraid to glue anymore. Really cover those outside edges with glue. Add your quilted piece and….
Here is my finished Kaffe Fassett Coach Tote Wannabe. By Designs by Heidi.
The quilting on this Kaffe Fassett fabric makes the finished product so jazzy!
Don’t you agree, these sweet petunias remind me of the Kaffe Fassett fabric in the tote.
These petunias are called “Queen of Hearts.”

All right everyone, get out there and make it up (like I did), make it fun (we wouldn’t want it ANY OTHER way), and get it done asap! Wow, it feels good to get something completed in less than a year. I want to try it again. Hugs, Heidi

    

Friday, A Great Day To Upcycle!

by Heidi Emmett

I’m certain that I’m the only one who does this…..buys a garment either at a store or Thrift shop that doesn’t fit with the GREAT intention of making it work, l-a-t-e-r! That pile for me got so big it fell over. I went through the pile and cut it in half by donating, and/or cutting up for fabric, some of the garments. FINALLY with all this so-called time on my hands I am diving in to the pile to make a few work for me.

I bought a blouse just for the fabric. The fabric is such luscious colors. I’m going to use it to make an existing blouse longer and a pair of capris wider. Let’s see if you like what I’ve done.
A close up of the blouse fabric reveals some pretty embroidery on fine stretch netting. I love ANYTHING with embroidery. And flowers! Even better.
I cut off the bottom 7″ of the blouse. I ran a gathering stitch where I cut it off and very slightly gathered it. I tucked the gathered portion right under the original hem on the bottom of the embroidered blouse and stitched it down. Ta da! Instant hem on the bottom from the blouse I cut off the 7″ and cute little slits (they were the side slits on the blouse) one at the center of my newly lengthened blouse and one in the center back. Yep, that’s right, a NEW look for me. I’m not about to rip it off and reposition two little slits. I created something new, and I like it. Ha, ha. No, I do really like it.
I like the smoothness of the new piece aka not enough fabric to gather very much but I truly think it’s good.
On to the capris. It’s amazing what adding 1 1/2″ to the sides of super skin tight capris will do. I cut the side seams all the way up from the bottom slit through the top (hence the little cutaway portion at the bottom of the capris (they had a little finished slit on the sides that I didn’t want to mess with as I wanted to get these puppies done!) Each side is completely open allowing me to insert a 2″ strip (that’s how much I needed 1/4″ seam allowance).
I like mixing different fabrics and jewelry together for a Bohemian Chic look.
Another close up of the capris. Can you see that the capri fabric is a jacquard (a pattern woven into the fabric). This is a satin jacquard so the design is a little bit shiny. It is also has some stretch  in it too(most helpful to get them on ha, ha).
One more look see. I’m ready for SUMMER! Go check your clothes. Is there something you could change so you could enjoy it and wear it once again?

I had to show you this beautiful pin by Helen. So sweet from scraps of fabric. Alas, the pin sold in 2014 but it is still fluttering around Pinterest.

I love this beautiful shot. I wish had taken it. It had no name on it (to give them credit) when I pinned it. Doesn’t it speak of summer? All rightie, let’s all get going on something fun for summer whether you start with a favorite piece of fabric from your stash or pluck something out of the “remake” pile. Happy sewing. Hugs, Heidi

Upcycling Friday! Men’s Shirts & Working at the “Growing Grounds”

by Heidi Emmett

Hello everyone. Upcyling is one of my things as you all know. I have bins and bins of men’s shirts. I really enjoy designing and creating cool things from them. I save every bit of a shirt. To get this Friday post off to a funny start (WE NEED LAUGHTER!), please watch this 14 second video my friend sent me, on one way to upcycle a man’s shirt.

Check out my tunic. I purchased it from the “Upcycled Closet”, an  Etsy store.  I love all the details that she has put into it such as, little pockets here and there, the “men’s shirts” even unbutton to show off more “stuff” underneath. Such clever ideas. You must visit her store. “Upcycled Closet.”
More of a close up on some details of this “Upcyled Closet” tunic top.
O.K. holding a phone and trying to take a picture, well, it can be awkward. So what you see is my left hand in the right side  pocket.

All rightie then, I want to try this myself. Starting with the t-shirt (this one really and truly shrunk in length) and adding some men’s shirt and one linen skirt. I’m off to a good start I think.
A close-up of the t-shirt. There are lots of colors in it. Hmm….the printing seems a bit off, but no matter. It will be so BUSY when I’m done, no one will notice. But, this is as far as I have come on this project. I have had to detour out of sewing for awhile. A “growing” need has arisen (puns intended).
My brothers have owned a nursery for over 50 years (it started as a wholesale nursery from our parents property as a project for one brother (I have 3)for high school FFA)! In the spring they have always offered locally grown vegetable and herb starts. Over the years they have learned how long the season (for veggie starts) will last and plant accordingly. Because of what has been going on EVERYONE (it seems) wants to have a “Victory Garden” of sorts. They are coming as far as 50 miles away to get their starts. The nursery was considered “essential” right from the get go as they sold “food products.” How about 28 varieties of tomatoes (who knew ), 12 types of Peppers, and on and on and on. They have been so desperate for help because of the demand, they even acquiesced to asking their little sister to come and help.   FYI- Peppers, no matter the variety take f-o-r-ever to come up. (see above).  I have such a NEW appreciation to what goes into the growing of food stuffs. Read on.
We are down to the last of the last of the “pots” to fill. Waiting, waiting, for a new shipment of these 4″ pots. They come from Illinois (slowed down because of SNOW, what!!). The soil is very specialized and comes from ———(shhh…can’t tell you where ’cause it’s a secret) very far away because it has a specialized peat moss mixed in to help seeds germinate faster, and seedlings grow better.  There is the coolest machine (BIG, very BIG) on the property that takes three people to run. It is used to fill all these pots with soil.
These are specialized “flats” that have seeds dropped into them. All these flats, and the pots, that have been seeded, are all placed by hand.
A close up view of one flat of Genovese basil. These germinated in less than a week.
When the basil is big enough they are popped out of the first flat (a micro sized ice cube tray of sorts and transferred to the four inch pot and labeled. Again it’s all done by hand. DesignsbyHeidi helps at her brother’s nursery. I LOVE IT! Truly. I’m helping in another way besides making masks. A nice change.
All the propagation is done outside of the greenhouse (too warm to be in all day). Once that’s done, they are moved into greenhouses like the one above. It is a really carefully planned process and when one thing doesn’t happen (like the run on seeds from the distributors,suddenly, everyone wants them) it can upset this “well oiled” process.  Oh, see the little blue and yellow squares hanging a few feet above the plants? Those are very sticky to catch teeny, tiny, mites that can come in when a door is kept open too long. I know this as I got my hair caught in several (I kept forgetting they were there), ick, ick and ouch!

At the far end of the greenhouse is the giant sized swamp cooler. Water constantly dribbles down from the top of the black metal mesh units while equally giant fans are blowing into the greenhouse (from the outside) air through the black meshy type metal.  They can regulate the air to be cooler at one end (so certain plants basically stop growing), as is the case for the pumpkins above.
Take a walk outside a greenhouse and you can really tell we live in California. Eschultzia Californica, California Poppy. Did you know they can bloom twice? Out in the wild it’s only once, in April or May. But at home, with extra water, you can get a fall bloom too.
California poppies make me so happy to look at. Especially a field of them.

The color! Such a brilliant color. I live in Gold Country, and CA poppies are our state flower. Did you know that the largest gold producing mine in the state of CA is only 1/2 mile from my home here in Grass Valley? Another interesting story for another time. Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope you can have some “dirt therapy” time this weekend planting and tending your own garden.Hugs,  Heidi

An Announcement About my Etsy shop! It’s GOOD!

by HEIDI EMMETT     I have so many irons in the fire so to speak with nothing finished yet. I’m going to show one thing in progress to whet your appetite to come back for the finished product. But FIRST, a word from our sponsor, Designs by Heidi. I am pleased to announce  that I am working on bringing all my “Art to Wear” sewing patterns into PDF/DIGITAL formatting to my Etsy shop, DESIGNS BY HEIDI EMMETT   Soon, within this next week there will be 2 DIFFERENT ways to purchase my patterns on my Etsy shop. “Hard Copy” (everything packed in a plastic sleeve) is there NOW, or PDF/Digital.

Coming soon to my Etsy store, Designs by Heidi Emmett, A CHOICE!! Hard copy sewing patterns, or, PDF/Digital format (you print them up on your own printer).

Today, Jan 17th, 2020 is Riley’s 2nd week in his forever home. What a good boy he is becoming.
We weren’t sure if we would make the 2 week mark. Constant prayers (prayer REALLY works), love, and treats. Isn’t he such a handsome guy? Found out last week that it is quite possible that he has spent a year of his life in a shelter (passed around). So EVERYTHING is new to him. Oh dear, I think I already said this last week. Sorry if I did, life around here is so upside down right now. I’m thrilled to be able to type this blog post, today, the day it’s due.

Here is a P.I.P. (project in progress) I wanted you to see. Sort of a “Boro” type thing. Learning so much.  These pieces are all from men’s shirts.

I can’t wait to show you my step by step and what I learned so that you too can do this,  MUCH easier than I did. I thought, “throw some pieces down, embroider, done.” Not true.

Cruising through Pinterest (please follow me there, type in DesignsbyHeidiEmmett) one morning and up came this tote. I really like the simplicity of this piece. A tote bag from my Men’s shirts, similar to this one, or a pillow. We’ll see. This tote is available from:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BluBohBags                     
Riley and his FIRST tastes of Snow (literally, biting, running, biting, giddy running, biting, biting the snow) He loved being in it, eating it, chasing snow balls.
All that running around in the snow, and Riley needs a break. He is wearing a “light lead” as training (love, treats,praise) goes on all day, every day. Two weeks and we are TRULY seeing progress. Albeit s-l-o-w-l-y but that’s what we want they say.
Some how this quote suddenly got really small. Oh well. This is truly me. Ask my husband. Some boxes and their inserts are amazingly designed. Did you know that you can get a degree in packaging design. Or so I have heard. Yikes, I need to get out more. Can’t wait to take Riley to Doggie Day Care. He NEEDS to be with his new “buds.” And we need a break. Come on sunshine, where are you! Find 15 minutes a day for your next creative project. I’m looking for my 15 min. Uh oh, there’s the whine for “I need to go out NOW!” 15 min. will have to wait. Until next week, Hugs from Heidi

 

 

Skirt-Upcycling! By HEIDI EMMETT

 

by Heidi Emmett:

Upcycling is SO FUN!! If you have been hesitant to get on board with it, today I’m going to show you a great project you could start with. First we need some inspiration.

Found this on Pinterest. I LOVE the way a beautiful dressy lace was paired with denim.

For me, Going to the Thrift shop is all about the fabric. I often buy a garment JUST for the fabric. This silk printed fabric is so great next to the denim in this skirt. Notice the top stitching on the denim and how it brings the fabric and denim together.

I like how this is a wrap skirt with interesting features on the front of the skirt.

THIS IS THE ONE! My skirt is so small that opening it up and adding pieces here and there like this skirt will make mine a perfect wrap skirt.

My thrifted skirt was so small but I loved the embroidery and the ragged hem, (the embroidery is the reason I purchased it, I new it would NEVER fit me as is.

The embroidery is machine done, but great colors and design.
O.K., snip, snip, snip! I cut it open all the way at the side seam opposite the embroidery.
Don’t forget to check out my cool slip on canvas tennis shoes. OF COURSE they are leopard. Remember, I said that Leopard is hot, HOT this season (in my humble opinion, Leopard anything is hot in any season).These are by Blowfish.  And so comfy almost right away.
I needed some other pieces to add on. Found this lovely woven piece in my stash. I decided to add a piece of fleece (try The Warm Company, made in the USA)  and a batik to the back of this woven.  And when I had to fish a spool of thread out of my trash bag, I found this perfectly colored piece of wool yarn.
I quilted my fabric “sandwich” together with different colored threads in an up and back motion that would show off the pattern of the fabric.
Arranging “stuff” to see if I can use some, all, or none. This is the fun part. Not sure about what you might pick out. “Test” them out as I did, by placing everything on the background of the starting skirt. Take a few pictures and look at your items objectively, through a camera lens.
Oh yes, I want this yarn and felt it down with my machine felter (mine is a Husky Star by Huskavarna). Check my past posts on “Fun Felting” to learn more.
It’s perfect.
The back side of this felted yarn is  pretty too.

It’s getting close to being finished. Think about which side you will add your quilted fabric piece to. How wide does it really need to be,and  how much of a wrap do you want? Maybe you will want to add more pieces than just the one as I did? All questions that will need answering and remember, it’s never wrong. Add something to it or cut it off and start again. I LOVE upcycling.
Check out my off-centered (ON PURPOSE, to reduce bulk, and I like how it looks) upcycled skirt. It is truly one-of-a-kind, just the way my clothing needs to be.
Maybe, I might add something else to this skirt. But right now it’s perfect as is.
Isn’t this fun! I am pairing this skirt with a red turtleneck, dark gray leggings, and my cool leopard tennies.

Upcycling is so freeing. As I said, you can do nothing wrong. I teach the upcycling portion of my workshop at the Artistic Alchemy retreat, on the first day. It’s a great warming up exercise to get your brain to start thinking outside the box and get you ready to work on one of my “ART TO WEAR” patterns later in the week. Please visit my Etsy store: DesignsbyHeidiEmmett/sewing patterns, to get an idea of the sewing patterns I sell. Next years Artistic Alchemy Retreat is Sept. 7-11th. It’s not too early to be thinking about it. All the information for our 2020 retreat comes out the beginning of February.

Fall at Pope Beach at South Shore Lake Tahoe, Oct. 2017. Notice how faaaarrrr out you can see the beach. It was the height of our drought. This year, same color in the trees, but the water comes all the way up now, within a foot or two of the railing.
An Aspen tree at waters’ edge of Zephyr Point Conference Center.
A storm is moving in to Zephyr Point in October. Foaming spray and big white caps.
Color trees are everywhere on the grounds of Zephyr Point. It is a great place to visit any time of the year (they do keep all roads on the grounds plowed when it snows), but fall is my favorite.

Thanks for stopping by and maybe check out your favorite Thrift shop this week (I love thrifting because your money goes to so many different great causes) and you find FABULOUS STUFF!! It’s a win, win!

I leave you with a quote: Be decisive. Right or wrong, make a decision. The road of life is paved with flat squirrels who couldn’t make a decision. Hugs, Heidi

P.S. Follow me – DesignsbyHeidiEmmett on Pinterest and Instagram.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Power Means, no Internet, Landline phone, Cellphone, t.v., etc. Accckk….!

Hello everyone,

Yes, I was one of the 800,000 P.G. & E. (Pacific Gas and Electric) customers to get power cut off because of high winds and fire danger.

All the above is back up and running.  I am so far behind  that I am dropping in some cool pictures from Pinterest instead of a normal post. Enjoy!

Until next Friday then…… Hugs, Heidi

Driving into downtown Nevada City, California on Monday, Oct. 7th, 2019, 5:00p.m.

Driving over one of the (3) bridges in Downtown Downieville, CA, 12:30p.m.,10/7/19. Beautiful day for a drive.